Zacatecas

Zacatecas is the capital of the Mexican state of Zacatecas, a historic silver-mining city set in a narrow valley and known for its pink stone buildings. Its UNESCO-listed historic centre, baroque cathedral and the cable car to Cerro de la Bufa give the city a distinctive highland character.

Founded in 1546 after the discovery of rich silver deposits, Zacatecas became one of the most important cities in colonial New Spain. The wealth of the mines funded churches, monasteries, civic buildings and mansions, many built from locally quarried pink cantera stone, and the historic centre was declared a World Heritage Site in 1993.

The city centre is compact and walkable, with the cathedral's elaborately carved facade, the former San Pedro bullring now housing the Quinta Real hotel, and the El Edén mine, which can be visited today. Museums such as the Rafael Coronel Museum, set in a former convent, and the Pedro Coronel Museum, in an old Jesuit college, hold significant collections. The teleférico crosses above the city between Cerro del Grillo and Cerro de la Bufa.

Beyond the centre, Zacatecas serves as a regional hub for culture, education and business, hosting festivals and conventions. Its food scene draws on regional dishes, mezcal and street food, while traditional callejoneadas, musical walking tours, animate the old streets in the evening. For both leisure and business travellers, the city offers a mix of colonial heritage, museums, events and a well-preserved centre.